Google has recently provided updated guidelines for content creators aiming to optimize their articles for Google Discover. These guidelines emphasize the importance of high-quality, engaging content that offers a positive user experience, particularly on mobile devices. Publishers are encouraged to focus on creating unique, factual, and easily scannable articles to increase their visibility on the personalized feed.
Key Takeaways
- Content must be 100% unique and factually accurate.
- Simple, clear language and short paragraphs are crucial.
- Mobile-first design and scannability are primary factors.
- Engagement elements like lists and quotes boost performance.
- Avoid sensationalism and marketing language.
Understanding Google Discover's Core Principles
Google Discover serves as a personalized content feed, showing users articles, videos, and other content based on their search history, location, and interests. Unlike traditional search results, users do not enter a query. Instead, Discover proactively presents content it believes will be relevant and interesting to the individual. This makes the quality and presentation of content even more critical for publishers.
The core objective for Google Discover is to deliver a seamless and engaging experience. This means content should not only be informative but also easy to consume on the go. Mobile-first design is not just a recommendation; it is a fundamental requirement for optimal performance. Articles should load quickly and display correctly on various screen sizes.
The Importance of Originality and Factual Accuracy
One of the most significant updates in Google's guidance highlights the need for 100% unique content. Publishers must rewrite articles completely, ensuring no plagiarism. This applies even when covering the same factual information as other sources. The goal is to provide a fresh perspective or a distinct presentation of facts.
Factual accuracy remains paramount. Google emphasizes that all information presented must be correct and verifiable. Misleading or false content can severely impact a publisher's standing and visibility on Discover. Trustworthiness is a key signal for Google's algorithms.
"Content that is factually accurate and provides genuine value to the user will always perform better on Discover," states a recent Google publication. "Originality in presentation, even for widely reported topics, is highly valued."
Did You Know?
Google Discover reaches over 800 million users globally each month, making it a significant traffic source for many publishers. Optimizing for this feed can dramatically increase readership and engagement.
Crafting Content for Mobile-First Consumption
The vast majority of Google Discover users access the feed on their smartphones. This necessitates a mobile-first approach to content creation. Articles should be structured for easy reading on smaller screens, with particular attention paid to paragraph length and overall scannability.
Short paragraphs are essential. Ideally, each paragraph should contain no more than two to three sentences. This breaks up the text, making it less intimidating and easier for readers to process information quickly. Long blocks of text can deter mobile users who are often browsing in short bursts.
Structured Content and Engagement Elements
To further enhance readability and engagement, publishers should incorporate various structural and interactive elements:
- Headings and Subheadings: Use
<h2>for main sections and<h3>for subsections. This provides a clear hierarchy and allows readers to quickly grasp the article's structure. - Lists: Both unordered (
<ul>) and ordered (<ol>) lists are highly effective. They present information in a concise, digestible format, which is ideal for mobile users. - Quotes: Use
<blockquote>for direct quotes. This adds credibility and breaks up the text visually. - Fact Boxes and Context Boxes: Dedicated
<div>elements for facts and background information improve comprehension and engagement.
Background on Google Discover
Google Discover was formerly known as Google Feed. It was rebranded in 2018 to emphasize its role in helping users discover new content and interests. The platform uses AI and machine learning to predict user preferences and deliver highly relevant content without explicit search queries.
Writing Style and Tone for Discover
The writing style for Google Discover should be simple, direct, and factual. Avoid complex vocabulary and jargon. The goal is to communicate information clearly and efficiently. Active voice should be used consistently to make sentences more direct and impactful.
No sensational language is a strict rule. Publishers must stick to facts and avoid exaggeration or clickbait headlines. The tone should remain professional and straightforward. Unnecessary adjectives or adverbs should be removed, only used when they add essential clarity to the information.
According to Google's guidelines, articles performing well on Discover often maintain a neutral, journalistic tone. This builds trust with the reader and aligns with Google's broader efforts to combat misinformation.
Optimizing for Keywords and Readability
While Discover is not a traditional search engine, keywords still play a role. Publishers should naturally integrate primary and secondary keywords throughout the content. However, keyword stuffing is detrimental and should be avoided. The focus remains on natural language and content quality.
Readability is also measured by factors like sentence length. Aim for shorter sentences to maintain a brisk pace and ensure easy comprehension. Each paragraph should ideally focus on a single idea, preventing information overload for the reader.
- Use simple, everyday words.
- Employ active voice for direct communication.
- Keep sentences concise and clear.
- Focus on one idea per paragraph.
By adhering to these principles, publishers can significantly improve their chances of appearing prominently in Google Discover feeds, reaching a wider audience and driving more traffic to their content. The emphasis on user experience, originality, and factual reporting underscores Google's commitment to delivering high-quality information to its users.
The update also subtly encourages publishers to think about the visual appeal of their articles. While not explicitly detailed in the text provided, high-quality images and videos are known to boost engagement on Discover. A compelling lead image can often be the first point of interaction for a user scrolling through their feed.
The Role of Content Breaks and Engagement
Natural content breaks are important for maintaining reader interest. It is recommended to introduce a break, such as a subheading, list, or an engagement element, approximately every 150-200 words. This ensures the article remains dynamic and keeps the reader's attention from flagging.
Incorporating direct quotes from experts or relevant individuals can add authority and a human element to the article. For instance, citing an analyst on market trends or a researcher on scientific discoveries makes the content more robust. This also adds to the article's perceived trustworthiness and depth.
Finally, publishers should always review their content for clarity and conciseness. Removing redundant words or phrases can make a significant difference in how easily and quickly an article is consumed, especially on a mobile device where screen real estate is limited. The goal is to convey maximum information with minimum words, without sacrificing accuracy or depth.